Helene Recovery Reporter

The Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network, is seeking an aggressive, enterprising and fearless reporter to be a part of our public service and accountability focused newsroom. This reporter will produce both quick-turn breaking news and in-depth reporting about Western North Carolina's continued challenges and recovery from Tropical Storm Helene.

The historic storm ripped through the mountains Sept. 27, 2024, causing unprecedented destruction from flooding, landslides and tree falls, ultimately killing more than 100 people statewide and causing an estimated $60 billion in damages.

This reporter will use the latest trends, metrics, social tools and public records to focus on Helene-related issues that impact the community, including delays in FEMA and other sources of storm recovery funding; ongoing displacement from homes lost in Helene; rebuilding of infrastructure and housing; loss of education opportunities; damage to the economy and many others.

The reporter approaches the beat with the public's right-to-know in mind as well as holding everyone in power accountable, including but not limited to government employees and local, state and federal elected officials.

The successful applicant will demonstrate speed, accuracy, and skilled writing. A great investigative reporter is interested in not only covering the high-profile, but contextualizing and humanizing every-day lives.

This reporter can juggle news, while staying focused on the digital details of story production: headlines, SEO, video, photo assets, and other points of optimization. They are also comfortable with live blogs, video and smart enterprise stories.

We want someone who can work calmly and quickly under tight deadlines, deliver scoops, make deep inroads with on- and off-record sources, knock on doors, be creative, think about storytelling on different platforms, and deliver sharp headlines. We believe in constant improvement and want to support our journalists' growth and ambition.

Responsibilities:

• Report quickly, clearly and accurately and deliver news, via stories, video, newsletters, social media or any other methods available to reach our audience.
• Use metrics to inform story choices and shape beat strategies.
• Work with editors to experiment with new ways of informing and engaging audiences on social platforms and alternate story forms. This includes experimenting with long-tail (evergreen) content.
• Monitor real-time news and sniff out the most important and fascinating stories important to our audiences. Demonstrate solid news judgment on an ongoing basis, while following USA Today Co.'s ethical reporting practices.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's or master's in journalism, communications or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three or more years in the journalism industry.
• Experience in daily newspaper reporting is preferable.
• Knowledge of WNC and impact from Tropical Storm Helene is a plus.
• Experience using social media accounts to identify stories is a plus.
• Command of USA Today Co. Style Guide.
• This role requires a valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and the minimum liability insurance required by state law.

Application Instructions:

We are eager to learn more about you and how you fit this role. When you apply, don't limit your upload to a resume; show us what you've done. To do so, put together a single document file that includes the following, in this order:

1. Your resume - one to two pages.

2. A cover letter that outlines how you would approach the job.

3. Links to 3-6 online samples of your work. Show us what you've produced or had a hand in that best reflects what you can do in your desired role.

It is important that these items be assembled into a single document and uploaded in PDF format. Completing these steps will ensure that your application receives the highest consideration.

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